3.05.2012

El tósigo / José Antonio Ramos Sucre

The Poison

The damsel has gone out for the occasions of the century and witnesses the diversions after having been brought up in retirement, inhibited by the dictates of a stern morality, defended by a noble bishop’s host of officers. The black eyes and hair spread an insidious spell.

The damsel comments the farce carried out in the hall of the lavish coliseum, and abandons herself to the enervating effects of a music invented by the artists of an unfortunate and nomadic race. The melody, of imprecise forms, awakens the image of a chimerical unhappiness.

A foreigner, of profane sentiments, discovers the damsel’s box seat and follows her steps. He accompanies her to the door of a carriage distinguished by the prelate’s insignias, and defies the protest of an escort of ceremonious servants.

The foreigner, of a schismatic faith and bacchanalian life, is lost in the dives and mirth until the moment he feels a tenacious drowsiness.

He rests for a long time in his home and wakes beneath the glare of a reddish morning.

He tries getting up from his bed and notices the beginning of an inexorable evil when he executes, for the first time, a few unfaithful paralytic movements.